Boy Scouts of America Troop 854 is holding its 75th-anniversary celebration on Sept. 3 at the place where the group has met since 1947, when it was known as Troop 84: Oakmont Presbyterian Church, 415 Pennsylvania Ave. The event will feature guest speakers including Jim Hamilton, an Eagle Scout from the 1960s, along with dinner, memorabilia, photos, a campsite setup and anniversary T-shirts. Anyone who was a Scout or participated as an adult leader, committee member or assistant in the past is invited to join today’s troop members. "We’ve been working really hard to track down old scout members and troop leaders for the anniversary,” Scoutmaster Dave Scatena said. The current group consists of 15 Scouts, 11 adult leaders and committee members, and four assistant scoutmasters, although in years past, the group has had up to 30 Scouts at a time participating. The ranks also include 53 Eagle Scouts over the years. "We’re always out there looking for more scouts to add to our troop,” Scatena said. The troop participates in a wide array of outdoor activities, with a particular focus on camping, hiking and biking. Camping has taken place at many local camps and state parks, in addition to trips to Gettysburg, Virginia Beach, Niagara Falls in Canada, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio, Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico and the National Scout Jamboree at various locations. The troop camps in all seasons, including winter, and has camped in below zero weather on multiple occasions. The Scouts have hiked and biked at places such as the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail, Great Allegheny Passage and Potomac River Trail. Members of the troop pride themselves on their public service, taking part in the Scouting for Food program for the past 40 years, an annual drive that benefits the Riverview Community Action Food Bank. The Scouts have also participated in a local litter cleanup program for the last 45 years. Scatena concluded, "Scout Troop 854 has been proud to develop the youth of Oakmont and surrounding communities for 75 years. "From our beginning in 1947, we have operated continuously to deliver the ideals of the Scout Oath and Law — character development, duty to God and country, community service and outdoor skills — to young men in our community,” Scatena said, thanking Oakmont Presbyterian Church for being "unwavering in their support of our mission” as the sponsoring organization. "We will rekindle old bonds of friendship and fellowship, reunite many of our Troop’s 57 Eagle Scouts and make new friends between the past and the present,” he said. "With all of this, we’re eagerly looking forward to the future of the troop, and invite the youth of Oakmont and surrounding areas to join us in our adventures.” Darren Yuvan is a Trib Total Media contributing writer. and help us continue covering the stories that matter to you and your community.